Dhaka, 7 Mar, Abnews: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city on the occasion of the historic March 7.

She first laid a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu as the Prime Minister.

After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for sometime as a mark of respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence.

Flanked by central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League (AL), placed another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party.

Later, the leaders and workers of Awami League's associate bodies, including Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mahila Awami League, Sramik League, Krishak League, Jubo Mohila League and Swechchhasebok League, also paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on the occasion.

On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu through his fiery and soulful address made a clarion call to the people to fight against the Pakistani occupation forces to achieve the long-cherished independence.

Before a rally of a million of freedom-loving people at the then Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardhy Udyan) on March 7 in 1971, Bangabandhu in a virtual announcement of independence declared, "Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram (the struggle this time is for our freedom, the struggle this time is for our independence)". – BSS